Shillong, Feb. 16: The debacle of Purno A. Sangma?s party in the Meghalaya district council elections has given the Congress enough reason to rejoice. Its leaders are convinced that ?Purno Sangma can be defeated? in the parliamentary elections. Sangma will be looking to retain the Tura seat for a record fifth time.
The split in the Nationalist Congress Party, both at the Centre and in his home state, has not done Sangma?s morale any good and he has been busy doing some damage control.
The Congress in Meghalaya, which Sangma split in June 1999, has once more revved up its campaign to dislodge Sangma, specially after the former Lok Sabha Speaker?s party was drubbed in the district council polls in the Garo Hills, the Khasi Hills and the Jaintia Hills.
These were being seen as an acid test for every political party that would enter the fray in the Lok Sabha elections.
Political observers say the results have provided a glimpse into the ?popularity of each party at the grassroots?.
The Meghalaya PCC is likely to fall back on its president and former chief minister Salseng C. Marak to take on Sangma in the Garo Hills. Yet there seems to be a schism within the Congress itself, with some backing taxation minister Mukul Sangma.
But sources said Mukul Sangma may be eventually sidelined and Marak may be asked to prepare for the battle royale against Purno Sangma, owing to his vast experience and reputation as a leader of high credibility in the Garo Hills.
Marak himself said he has kept his ?options open? in so far as contesting the Lok Sabha poll is concerned. He said he would first discuss the performance of the Congress in the district council elections in the Garo Hills in the PCC meeting, slated for February 26.
?I will take into account all factors before making up my mind,? Marak said, though he did not rule out the possibility of taking the plunge to ensure a Congress comeback in the Garo Hills. ?Our main priority is to win the Tura seat and we will join hands with other parties in the Garo Hills to fight Purno Sangma,? Salseng Marak added.
However, he cautioned: ?We should have done better in the Garo Hills and I am not very happy with our performance.?
The former chief minister felt that the vote swing would be in favour of the Congress as ?people are not happy with Purno Sangma and the trend is that a party in power would be supported?.